Toner Shell Layer Structure for Fine Line Reproducibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic charge image developing toners face challenges in achieving good electrical characteristics and fine line reproducibility when using large-diameter particles, such as scaly pigments and light-emitting particles, due to difficulties in obtaining complete resin layer coverage and preventing particle aggregation.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrostatic charge image developing toner with a core particle having a large-diameter particle and a shell layer composed of at least two resin layers, where the outermost layer is an amorphous resin, to enhance resin layer adhesion and prevent particle aggregation, thereby improving fine line reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large-diameter particles such as scaly pigments and light-emitting particles are used as color material, then special color effects can be achieved, but it becomes difficult to obtain good electrical characteristics and powder fluidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite resin layer structure combining amorphous resin and releasing agent in specific layers. The amorphous resin provides adhesion to large-diameter particles while the releasing agent enables proper release from the drum, achieving both special color effects and reliable electrical characteristics through material composition optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different resin properties to different layers: the amorphous resin is placed in layers requiring strong adhesion to large-diameter particles, while releasing agents are placed in layers requiring release functionality. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining electrical characteristics and achieving special color effects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large-diameter particles such as scaly pigments and light-emitting particles are used as color material, then special color effects can be achieved, but it becomes difficult to obtain good powder fluidity
Solution Approach 1:
The composite resin layer structure with amorphous resin and releasing agent creates optimal surface properties that prevent particle aggregation while maintaining powder fluidity. The releasing agent components specifically address fluidity issues by reducing inter-particle friction and improving flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin layers by incorporating amorphous resin with specific molecular structure and releasing agents with low melting points. These parameter changes reduce particle aggregation and improve powder fluidity while maintaining special color effects.
3Ease of operation
If a shell layer is composed of only one resin layer or includes at least two resin layers with releasing agent in the outermost layer, then releasing function is improved, but fine line reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shell layer into multiple layers with amorphous resin and releasing agents arranged in specific sequences. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function: amorphous resin layers provide adhesion and fine line definition, while releasing agent layers provide release functionality, resolving the contradiction between releasing function and fine line reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different resin qualities to different layers: amorphous resin with high adhesion is placed in layers requiring fine line definition, while releasing agents are placed in outer layers requiring release functionality. This local quality differentiation enables both fine line reproducibility and proper releasing function.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a toner particle, and the toner particle includes: a core particle containing a large-diameter particle having a number average particle diameter of 1 μm or more; and a shell layer that includes at least two resin layers each containing an amorphous resin and covers a surface of the core particles, and an outermost layer of the at least two resin layers is a resin layer being made of the amorphous resin.